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Sensitivity and specificity analysis for somatic cell count (SCC) used to predict bacteriologically positive
J H Kirk1, S L Berry, J P Reynolds
1Department of Large Animal Surgery and Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA.
Objective:
Validate, by sensitivity and specificity analyses, use of somatic cell count (SCC) to predict bacteriologically positive subclinical mastitis in a California dairy herd with low SCC.
Design:
Study of monthly dairy herd improvement SCC obtained from the immediate preceding lactation and individual cow composite milk sample microbiologic isolates collected at calving.
Animals:
515 California dairy cows with SCC and culture data.
Procedure:
Somatic cell count sensitivity and specificity analyses with combinations of SCC parameter and at various thresholds were done, using the bacterial isolates as the standard.
Results:
Combination of SCC threshold and SCC parameters could not be developed that had sufficient sensitivity and specificity to be a useful predictor of cows that would calve with subclinical mastitis.
Clinical Implications:
Under the conditions at this particular dairy, SCC could not be used as a basis of prediction of cows that would calve with bacteriologically positive subclinical mastitis or require selective nonlactating-cow antibiotic treatment.